Firmenich Unveils New Shanghai R&D Facility

Posted: September 18, 2012

Firmenich (Geneva) has opened a new research and development facility in Shanghai, China, which will focus on the extended Asia-Pacific region as well as the group’s global innovation programs. The move follows last year's unveiling of a new Indonesian flavor facility.

“Following the success of our first R&D facility in China in 2006, we decided to step up our innovation foothold here to further accelerate and expand our development pipeline”, said Patrick Firmenich, CEO. “By deepening our understanding of the innovation needs in these markets, we are committed to supporting our clients’ growth in this dynamic region ... we also expect this strengthened innovation hub to be a dynamic contributor to our global programs."

The site represents the company's third "critical innovation hub" worldwide, joining centers in Europe (Geneva) and in North America (Princeton, NJ). The new facility will integrate laboratories across the group’s scientific disciplines including the discovery and development of ingredients as well as technologies to improve fragrance and flavor performance, perception and delivery.

Also, its scientists will collaborate with the group’s external innovation partners including start-ups and leading academic institutions.

“China has over two thousand years of rich heritage in flavors and fragrances," said Dong Fang Chen, Firmenich's president, China. "By expanding our R&D strength here, we are committed to understanding the diverse tastes and needs of Chinese consumers in order to design and create products that will delight them."